Annual 4H Fair

Every year, around the end of July, local 4h and FFA members have the opportunity to show off their hard work. Projects can range from indoor items, such as tables, wooden mirrors, and photography, to livestock animals like steers, pigs, and sheep. Members are given the option (if they qualify) to sell their products at the sale in the evening following the fair in the morning and afternoon. The fair kicked off with a weigh in for the animals at 6:30 am. Following that was the start of the swine classes at 8:15 am. The swine division included showmanship for junior and senior classes, a feeder class, a market class, and finally a breeding class. In total, there were 29 pigs (23 in the market class, one in the breeding, and 5 in the feeder class) Following the hogs, sheep were displayed. The sheep only had two to show and they were both in the junior division. The steers were next behind the sheep. All in all, the county’s youth brought forth 16 beef animals total to the snow. Two bum calves were shown by Cloverbuds, the division for kids under the age of 8. A cow calf pair was shown, 11 marker steers, and one mini steer was brought. There were two goats highlighted by two separate junior showman—both in the breeding division. Chickens, other poultry, and bunnies were shown by various 4h members, and the indoor fair wrapped up with the judging of food and baked goods. The 4h horse show was completed on Tuesday, July 18th. Ranch horse, horsemanship, trail, and other like classes were presented by horse showing members. The afternoon at the 4h fair was filled by the round robin. The annual round robin is completed by the winner of reserve and grand champion in showmanship classes of horse, goat, sheep, steer, and hog. These select showman must compete, answer questions, and show all of the animals that were listed above. Additionally, competitors are not allowed to show their own animals. A buckle is given as a prize to the grand champion round robin winner and a prize such as a jacket or a chair is given to the reserve champion. Prizes are separate for junior (8-13) and senior (14-18) divisions. The final sale will wrap up the Meagher County 4h Fair tonight starting at 6 pm, following the buyer’s dinner and social that begins at 5 pm. Members of the local 4h chapters have worked hard to ensure their projects are ready for fair, and the ribbons, prizes, and money made are all a physical reward for the community’s youth.